As part of the Institute of Osteopathy’s partnership with the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS), two refresher seminars held for osteopaths and chiropractors at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath.

The iO is supporting NASS’s work to reduce the current 8.5 year delay to diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis. Over 100 delegates attended the seminars, where Drs Karl Gaffney and Raj Sengupta presented an update on the most recent tools for diagnosis, with an emphasis on the use of MRI and the presence of extra articular manifestations, such as uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. The NICE Guideline for Spondyloarthritis was also discussed, as well as the newer biologic treatments which have become available in the past decade.

NASS was also thrilled to have presentations from Zoe Clark and Wendy Holden on osteopathy, as well as Mario Lucchetti, Mandy Rush and Peter Dixon giving the chiropractor perspective. There was also a wider discussion around the issues that some face with onward referral; a tool is currently being developed to help with this. NASS also showcased the range of patient information that they have available, including their website and helpline.

The feedback from the events has been excellent, with many stating that they would be changing their practice as a result of the seminar. For further information and resources visit www.nass.co.uk.